During the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023, heads of state or government assessed the situation in Israel and Gaza, following Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October and the subsequent Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, the revision of the EU’s 2024-2027 long-term budget and the economic situation in the EU were also discussed by leaders. MEPs discuss the results of the latest EU summit with Council and Commission Presidents Charles MICHEL and Ursula VON DER LEYEN. This news item shows extracts from the debate.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

EU - Israel (T)

EU - Palestine (T)

VAUTMANS, Hilde (Renew, BE)

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

MICHEL, Charles (BE)

MUREŞAN, Siegfried (EPP, RO)

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

European Council meeting 26-27 October 2023 (T)

Conclusions of the European Council and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Peace means security. But security does not always mean peace. One without the other only feeds more instability for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. The EU, We have a responsibility to help these nations move forward and to put into action a plan, a plan for security, a plan for prosperity in the region. And this plan must be based on the two state solution: a safe and secure Israel and an independent Palestinian state.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, The Palestinians has the right to a stable political future with a government. That is the interest of its people at heart and a vision for a sustainable economy, its future. The Palestinian Authority will be key to any future political settlement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, And Ukraine is making significant progress to European accession. The Ukrainian people need to be sure that they have a secure future and that it will be prosperity prosperous and guaranteed within the European Union. The Commission has just submitted a report on enlargement and it will be up to the Council in December to decide on the next steps for Ukraine and also for the other candidates for accession.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, First, Gaza can be no safe haven for terrorists, and different ideas are being discussed on how this can be ensured. Second, the terrorist organisation Hamas cannot control or govern Gaza. There should be only one Palestinian Authority and one Palestinian state. Third, no long term Israeli security presence in Gaza, because Gaza is essential part of any future Palestinian state and the territory of Gaza cannot be reduced or amputated in any way. Fourth: no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This would be a humanitarian tragedy and also a recipe for more regional instability. And finally, no sustained blockade of Gaza. Any future Palestinian state must be viable.

SOUNDBITE (English),  Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, On Ukraine, we are recommending to the Council to open accession negotiations. The progress that Ukraine has made as it fights an existential war is remarkable and impressive. With very clear achievements on all seven steps we have identified, well over 90% of those steps have been completed. The remaining reforms are on their way. So by March 2024, we will report back to the Council on these ongoing reforms.

SOUNDBITE (English), Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), We as a European Parliament have expressed support for the continuation of humanitarian aid, for the assessment of the needs for increasing the humanitarian aid where it is needed because it is also in our European interest that 6 million Palestinian people in the wider region, in Jordan, in Lebanon, are being helped and can be can be taken care of as close as possible to their homes in in the region. But President von der Leyen let us work together to make sure that these amounts of money really reach the people in need.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iraxe GARCIA PEREZ (S&amp;D, ES), Ladies and gentlemen, bombing hospitals, attacking refugee camps, destroying schools, forcing the population to drink from saltwater wells is not a legitimate defence. The United Nations has said this "They are war crimes" and war has rules. But the current government of Netanyahu simply acts as if Hamas is entire Palestinian population and has a siege that is not differentiating between the innocent and the guilty. Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas. But Mr. Netanyahu, who does not have a right to dehumanise a whole people.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, NL), Here in Europe, it has been possible for us, European Union, to built on the ruins of divisions coming from hatred. But now, together with the international community, we need to make sure that we do the same thing in the Middle East. And that's something that we can only do if we are strong and united. If we act as a united geopolitical Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), Palestinian civilians must not be collectively punished for the crimes of Hamas. We must fight for humanitarian corridors. The immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the investigation of war crimes, and for the escalation of violence to be stopped. And for that, yes, we have to work for a cease fire. For humanitarian aid to be increased and then to reach the people in Gaza.